Multiuser information exchange management

ABSTRACT

For multiuser information exchange management, a processor receives information permissions for a plurality of participants in an electronic forum. The information permissions include an audio permission, a video permission, a file share permission, a drawing permission, and/or a presentation permission for each participant. The processor provides forum information to each participant based on the information permissions. The audio permission is required to receive audio from the electronic forum. The video permission is required to receive video from the electronic forum. The file share permission is required to receive a file from the electronic forum. The drawing permission is required to receive a drawing from the electronic forum. The presentation permission is required to receive a presentation from the electronic forum.

FIELD

The subject matter disclosed herein relates to multiuser informationexchange and more particularly relates to multiuser information exchangemanagement.

BACKGROUND

Diverse participants share information in electronic forums.

BRIEF SUMMARY

An apparatus for multiuser information exchange management is disclosed.The apparatus includes a processor and a memory that stores codeexecutable by the processor. The processor receives informationpermissions for a plurality of participants in an electronic forum. Theinformation permissions include an audio permission, a video permission,a file share permission, a drawing permission, and/or a presentationpermission for each participant. The processor provides foruminformation to each participant based on the information permissions.The audio permission is required to receive audio from the electronicforum. The video permission is required to receive video from theelectronic forum. The file share permission is required to receive afile from the electronic forum. The drawing permission is required toreceive a drawing from the electronic forum. The presentation permissionis required to receive a presentation from the electronic forum. Amethod and program product also perform the functions of the apparatus.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A more particular description of the embodiments briefly described abovewill be rendered by reference to specific embodiments that areillustrated in the appended drawings. Understanding that these drawingsdepict only some embodiments and are not therefore to be considered tobe limiting of scope, the embodiments will be described and explainedwith additional specificity and detail through the use of theaccompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1A is a schematic block diagram illustrating one embodiment of anelectronic forum;

FIG. 1B is drawings of illustrating embodiments of electronic devices;

FIG. 2A is a schematic block diagram illustrating one embodiment ofinformation permissions;

FIG. 2B is a schematic block diagram illustrating one embodiment offorum information;

FIG. 3 is drawing illustrating one embodiment of a user interface;

FIG. 4 is a schematic block diagram illustrating one embodiment of acomputer; and

FIG. 5 is a schematic flow chart diagram illustrating one embodiment ofa forum information management method.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

As will be appreciated by one skilled in the art, aspects of theembodiments may be embodied as a system, method or program product.Accordingly, embodiments may take the form of an entirely hardwareembodiment, an entirely software embodiment (including firmware,resident software, micro-code, etc.) or an embodiment combining softwareand hardware aspects that may all generally be referred to herein as a“circuit,” “module” or “system.” Furthermore, embodiments may take theform of a program product embodied in one or more computer readablestorage devices storing machine readable code, computer readable code,and/or program code, referred hereafter as code. The storage devices maybe tangible, non-transitory, and/or non-transmission. The storagedevices may not embody signals. In a certain embodiment, the storagedevices only employ signals for accessing code.

Many of the functional units described in this specification have beenlabeled as modules, in order to more particularly emphasize theirimplementation independence. For example, a module may be implemented asa hardware circuit comprising custom VLSI circuits or gate arrays,off-the-shelf semiconductors such as logic chips, transistors, or otherdiscrete components. A module may also be implemented in programmablehardware devices such as field programmable gate arrays, programmablearray logic, programmable logic devices or the like.

Modules may also be implemented in code and/or software for execution byvarious types of processors. An identified module of code may, forinstance, comprise one or more physical or logical blocks of executablecode which may, for instance, be organized as an object, procedure, orfunction. Nevertheless, the executables of an identified module need notbe physically located together, but may comprise disparate instructionsstored in different locations which, when joined logically together,comprise the module and achieve the stated purpose for the module.

Indeed, a module of code may be a single instruction, or manyinstructions, and may even be distributed over several different codesegments, among different programs, and across several memory devices.Similarly, operational data may be identified and illustrated hereinwithin modules, and may be embodied in any suitable form and organizedwithin any suitable type of data structure. The operational data may becollected as a single data set, or may be distributed over differentlocations including over different computer readable storage devices.Where a module or portions of a module are implemented in software, thesoftware portions are stored on one or more computer readable storagedevices.

Any combination of one or more computer readable medium may be utilized.The computer readable medium may be a computer readable storage medium.The computer readable storage medium may be a storage device storing thecode. The storage device may be, for example, but not limited to, anelectronic, magnetic, optical, electromagnetic, infrared, holographic,micromechanical, or semiconductor system, apparatus, or device, or anysuitable combination of the foregoing.

More specific examples (a non-exhaustive list) of the storage devicewould include the following: an electrical connection having one or morewires, a portable computer diskette, a hard disk, a random access memory(RAM), a read-only memory (ROM), an erasable programmable read-onlymemory (EPROM or Flash memory), a portable compact disc read-only memory(CD-ROM), an optical storage device, a magnetic storage device, or anysuitable combination of the foregoing. In the context of this document,a computer readable storage medium may be any tangible medium that cancontain, or store a program for use by or in connection with aninstruction execution system, apparatus, or device.

Code for carrying out operations for embodiments may be written in anycombination of one or more programming languages including an objectoriented programming language such as Python, Ruby, R, Java, JavaScript, Smalltalk, C++, C sharp, Lisp, Clojure, PHP, or the like, andconventional procedural programming languages, such as the “C”programming language, or the like, and/or machine languages such asassembly languages. The code may execute entirely on the user'scomputer, partly on the user's computer, as a stand-alone softwarepackage, partly on the user's computer and partly on a remote computeror entirely on the remote computer or server. In the latter scenario,the remote computer may be connected to the user's computer through anytype of network, including a local area network (LAN) or a wide areanetwork (WAN), or the connection may be made to an external computer(for example, through the Internet using an Internet Service Provider).

Reference throughout this specification to “one embodiment,” “anembodiment,” or similar language means that a particular feature,structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodimentis included in at least one embodiment. Thus, appearances of the phrases“in one embodiment,” “in an embodiment,” and similar language throughoutthis specification may, but do not necessarily, all refer to the sameembodiment, but mean “one or more but not all embodiments” unlessexpressly specified otherwise. The terms “including,” “comprising,”“having,” and variations thereof mean “including but not limited to,”unless expressly specified otherwise. An enumerated listing of itemsdoes not imply that any or all of the items are mutually exclusive,unless expressly specified otherwise. The terms “a,” “an,” and “the”also refer to “one or more” unless expressly specified otherwise. Theterm “and/or” indicates embodiments of one or more of the listedelements, with “A and/or B” indicating embodiments of element A alone,element B alone, or elements A and B taken together.

Furthermore, the described features, structures, or characteristics ofthe embodiments may be combined in any suitable manner. In the followingdescription, numerous specific details are provided, such as examples ofprogramming, software modules, user selections, network transactions,database queries, database structures, hardware modules, hardwarecircuits, hardware chips, etc., to provide a thorough understanding ofembodiments. One skilled in the relevant art will recognize, however,that embodiments may be practiced without one or more of the specificdetails, or with other methods, components, materials, and so forth. Inother instances, well-known structures, materials, or operations are notshown or described in detail to avoid obscuring aspects of anembodiment.

Aspects of the embodiments are described below with reference toschematic flowchart diagrams and/or schematic block diagrams of methods,apparatuses, systems, and program products according to embodiments. Itwill be understood that each block of the schematic flowchart diagramsand/or schematic block diagrams, and combinations of blocks in theschematic flowchart diagrams and/or schematic block diagrams, can beimplemented by code. This code may be provided to a processor of ageneral purpose computer, special purpose computer, or otherprogrammable data processing apparatus to produce a machine, such thatthe instructions, which execute via the processor of the computer orother programmable data processing apparatus, create means forimplementing the functions/acts specified in the schematic flowchartdiagrams and/or schematic block diagrams block or blocks.

The code may also be stored in a storage device that can direct acomputer, other programmable data processing apparatus, or other devicesto function in a particular manner, such that the instructions stored inthe storage device produce an article of manufacture includinginstructions which implement the function/act specified in the schematicflowchart diagrams and/or schematic block diagrams block or blocks.

The code may also be loaded onto a computer, other programmable dataprocessing apparatus, or other devices to cause a series of operationalsteps to be performed on the computer, other programmable apparatus orother devices to produce a computer implemented process such that thecode which execute on the computer or other programmable apparatusprovide processes for implementing the functions/acts specified in theflowchart and/or block diagram block or blocks.

The schematic flowchart diagrams and/or schematic block diagrams in theFigures illustrate the architecture, functionality, and operation ofpossible implementations of apparatuses, systems, methods and programproducts according to various embodiments. In this regard, each block inthe schematic flowchart diagrams and/or schematic block diagrams mayrepresent a module, segment, or portion of code, which comprises one ormore executable instructions of the code for implementing the specifiedlogical function(s).

It should also be noted that, in some alternative implementations, thefunctions noted in the block may occur out of the order noted in theFigures. For example, two blocks shown in succession may, in fact, beexecuted substantially concurrently, or the blocks may sometimes beexecuted in the reverse order, depending upon the functionalityinvolved. Other steps and methods may be conceived that are equivalentin function, logic, or effect to one or more blocks, or portionsthereof, of the illustrated Figures.

Although various arrow types and line types may be employed in theflowchart and/or block diagrams, they are understood not to limit thescope of the corresponding embodiments. Indeed, some arrows or otherconnectors may be used to indicate only the logical flow of the depictedembodiment. For instance, an arrow may indicate a waiting or monitoringperiod of unspecified duration between enumerated steps of the depictedembodiment. It will also be noted that each block of the block diagramsand/or flowchart diagrams, and combinations of blocks in the blockdiagrams and/or flowchart diagrams, can be implemented by specialpurpose hardware-based systems that perform the specified functions oracts, or combinations of special purpose hardware and code.

The description of elements in each figure may refer to elements ofproceeding figures. Like numbers refer to like elements in all figures,including alternate embodiments of like elements.

FIG. 1A is a schematic block diagram illustrating one embodiment of anelectronic forum 100. The electronic forum 100 allows one or moreparticipants 120 to collaborate and share information online. In thedepicted embodiment, the electronic forum 100 includes a server 105, anetwork 115, a plurality of electronic devices 110, and a plurality ofparticipants 120. In addition, the electronic forum 100 may include oneor more sets of information permissions 200. The network 115 may be theInternet, a mobile telephone network, a WI-FI wireless network, awide-area network, a local area network, or combinations thereof. Theelectronic forum 100 may be an audio conference, a video conference, avirtual conference, and the like.

The participants 120 collaborate and share forum information through theelectronic devices 110. The forum information may include audio, video,files, drawings, and/or presentations. The electronic devices 110 maycommunicate through the network 115. In addition, the server 105 maymanage the exchanges of forum information in the electronic forum 100.

Typically, each participant in the electronic forum 100 is able toaccess all forum information that is shared in the electronic forum 100.However, it may be advantageous to not share some forum information withsome participants 120. For example, it may be critical to shareconfidential forum information with only a limited set of participants120 that are authorized to receive the confidential form information.The embodiments receive the information permissions 200 for theparticipants 120 and provide the forum information to each participant120 based on the information permissions 200. As result, eachparticipant 120 only receives forum information that the participant 120should have access to.

In one embodiment, one or more participants 120 may be categorized in agroup 125. In a certain embodiment, the participants 120 in the group125 share a set of information permissions 200.

FIG. 1B is drawings of illustrating embodiments of electronic devices110. In the depicted embodiment, a virtual-reality electronic device 110a, a mobile telephone electronic device 110 b, and a laptop computerelectronic device 110 c are shown. Other electronic devices 100 may beemployed. The electronic devices 110 may exchange forum informationincluding audio, video, files, drawings, and/or presentations.

FIG. 2A is a schematic block diagram illustrating one embodiment of theinformation permissions 200. The information permissions 200 specify theforum information 250 that each participant 120 may receive from theelectronic forum 100. The information permissions 200 maybe organized asa data structure in a memory. In the depicted embodiment, theinformation permissions 200 includes an audio permission 201, a videopermission 203, a file share permission 205, a drawing permission 207,and a presentation permission 209. In addition, the informationpermissions 200 may include an audio time stamp 221, a video time stamp223, a file share timestamp 225, a drawing timestamp 227, and apresentation timestamp 229. In one embodiment, each permission201/203/205/207/209 may have a corresponding timestamp221/223/225/227/229.

The audio permission 201 may be required to receive audio from theelectronic forum 100. The video permission 203 may be required toreceive video from the electronic forum 100. The file share permission205 may be required to receive a file from the electronic forum 100. Thedrawing permission 207 may be required to receive a drawing from theelectronic forum 100. The presentation permission 209 may be required toreceive a presentation from the electronic forum 100.

The server 105 and/or electronic device 110 may communicate the audio,the video, the file, the drawing, and/or the presentation in response toa corresponding permission 201/203/205/207/209 being set. For example,server 105 and/or electronic device 110 may communicate the audio inresponse to the audio permission 201 being set.

In one embodiment, the server 105 and/or electronic device 110communicates the audio, the video, the file, the drawing, and/or thepresentation in response to the corresponding timestamp221/223/225/227/229 preceding a current time. For example, the server105 and/or electronic device 110 may communicate the video in responseto the video timestamp 223 preceding the current time.

The server 105 and/or electronic device 110 may communicate the audio,the video, the file, the drawing, and/or the presentation in response toboth a corresponding permission 201/203/205/207/209 being set and thecorresponding timestamp 221/223/225/227/229 preceding the current time.For example, server 105 and/or electronic device 110 may communicate thepresentation in response to both the presentation permission 209 beingset and the presentation timestamp 229 preceding the current time.

FIG. 2B is a schematic block diagram illustrating one embodiment offorum information 250. The forum information 250 may be communicatedbetween the electronic devices 110 and/or server 105 over the network115. The forum information 250 maybe organized as data in one or morepackets. In addition, the forum information 250 maybe organized as adata structure in a memory. In the depicted embodiment, the foruminformation 250 includes the audio 251, the video 253, a file 255, thedrawing 257, and/or the presentation 259. In addition, the foruminformation 250 may include a command 270.

The audio 251 may include audio data from one or more participants 120.The video 253 may include video data from one or more participants 120.The file 255 may comprise data organized in a file structure that isshared between participants 120. The drawing 257 may include bitmapped,vector, and the like graphic information that is generated by aparticipant 120 and rendered for other participants 120. Thepresentation 259 may be a presentation data structure that is presentedby a first participant 120 to other participants 120.

The command 270 may be received by an electronic device 110. The command270 may be received as a voice command. In addition, the command 270 maybe received through the user interface as will be described hereafter.The command 270 may specify and/or modify the information permissions200. For example, the information permissions 200 may be received from afirst participant 120 as a voice command 270. In addition, theinformation permissions 200 may be received through the user interface.

FIG. 3 is drawing illustrating one embodiment of a user interface 300.The user interface 300 may be presented to a participant 120 on adisplay of the electronic device 110. In addition, the participant 120may interact with the user interface 300 using a keyboard, a pointingdevice, and the like.

In one embodiment, the user interface 300 displays information types 303comprising the forum information 250 employed in a given electronicforum 100. In addition, the user interface 300 may display theparticipants 120 and/or groups 125 participating in the electronic forum100. In the depicted embodiment, participants 120 that are part of agroup 125 are only presented as part of the group 125. In an alternativeembodiment, participants 120 that are part of a group 125 are presentedboth individually and as part of the group. In a certain embodiment,both the group 125 and the participants of the group 125 are presentedin the user interface 300.

The user interface 300 may receive permission selections 305 for eachcombination of information type 303 and participant 120 and/or group125. The permissions selections 305 may specify which participant 120and/or group 125 may receive which forum information 250. The permissionselections 305 may set the corresponding permissions201/203/205/207/209. In addition, the permission selections 305 may setthe corresponding timestamps 221/223/225/227/229 to a current time. In acertain embodiment, the permission selections 305 may set thecorresponding timestamps 221/223/225/227/229 to a specified time.

In one embodiment, the user interface 300 receives a single set ofinformation permissions 200 for each of the plurality of participants120. The user interface 300 may receive the single set of informationpermissions 200 from an administrator. The administrator may be adesignated participant 120.

In a certain embodiment, instances of the user interface 300 receiveinformation permissions 200 for each of the plurality of participants120 from each of the plurality of participants 120. For example, a firstinstance of the user interface 300 may receive first informationpermissions 200 from a first participant 120 and the second instance ofthe user interface 300 may receive second information permissions 200from a second participant 120.

In one embodiment, the information permission 200 received from aparticipant 120 applies only to the forum information 250 originatingfrom that participant 120. For example, the information permission 200received from a first participant 120 may apply only to the audio 251,video 253, file 255, drawing 257, and/or presentation 259 originatingfrom the first participant 120.

In an alternative embodiment, the information permission 200 receivedfrom a participant 120 applies to all the forum information 250originating from all participants 120. In a certain embodiment, theinformation permission 200 received from the participant 120 appliesonly to the participants 120 as specified in the user interface 300 bythe permissions selections 305.

FIG. 4 is a schematic block diagram illustrating one embodiment of acomputer 400. The computer 400 may be embodied each of the electronicdevices 110 and the server 105. In the depicted embodiment, the computer400 includes a processor 405, a memory 410, and communication hardware415. The memory 410 may include a semiconductor storage device, a harddisk drive, an optical storage device, or combinations thereof. Thememory 410 may store code. The processor 405 may execute the code. Thecommunication hardware 415 may communicate with other devices such asthe network 115.

FIG. 5 is a schematic flow chart diagram illustrating one embodiment ofa forum information management method 500. The method 500 may receiveinformation permissions 200 for the plurality of participants 120 in theelectronic forum 100 and provide the forum information 250 to eachparticipant 120 based on the information permissions 200. The method 500may be performed by the processor 405.

The method 500 starts, and in one embodiment, the processor 405 receives501 the information permissions 200 for the plurality of participants120 in the electronic forum 100. The information permissions 200 may bereceived 501 from the user interface 300. In one embodiment, the userinterface 300 generates the command 270 that is communicated to theserver 105. In addition, the information permissions 200 may be received501 as a voice command 270. In one embodiment, the informationpermissions 200 are received 501 from an administrator. In addition,sets of information permissions 200 may be received 501 from eachparticipant 120.

The information permissions 200 may comprise the audio permission 201,the video permission 203, the file share permission 205, the drawingpermission 207, and/or the presentation permission 209 for eachparticipant 120. In one embodiment, one or more participants 120 areorganized in a group 125. A first set of information permissions 200 maybe assigned to the group 125. The information permissions 200 for eachparticipant 120 in the group 125 may be the information permissions 200for the group 125.

The information permissions 200 may be received 501 at any time duringthe electronic forum 100. For example, a first participant 120 maycommunicate updated information permissions 200 to the processor 405before sharing confidential forum information 200 with only specifiedparticipants 120. Updating the information permissions 250 may compriseupdating a corresponding timestamp 221/223/225/227/229 with the currenttime if permission is granted and updating the corresponding timestamp221/223/225/227/229 with a null value if the permission is withdrawn. Inaddition, updating the information permissions 250 may comprise settingthe corresponding permission 201/203/205/207/209 if permission isgranted and clearing the permission 201/203/205/207/209 if thepermission is withdrawn.

For example, the administrator may update the drawing permission 207 fora first participant 120 to withdraw the drawing permission 207. Theserver 105 may record a null value to the drawing timestamp 227 for thefirst participant 120. In addition, the server 105 may clear the drawingpermission 207. As a result, the first participant 120 will subsequentlynot receive a drawing 257. Similarly, the administrator may update thedrawing permission 207 for the first participant 120 to grant thedrawing permission 207. The server 105 may record a current time to thedrawing timestamp 227 for the first participant 120. As a result, thefirst participant 120 will subsequently receive the drawing 257.

The processor 405 may provide 503 the forum information 250 to eachparticipant 120 based on the information permissions 200. The audiopermission 201 may be required to receive audio 251 from the electronicforum 100. The video permission 203 may be required to receive video 253from the electronic forum 100. The file share permission 205 may berequired to receive a file 255 from the electronic forum 100. Thedrawing permission 207 may be required to receive a drawing 257 from theelectronic forum 100. The presentation permission 209 may be required toreceive a presentation 259 from the electronic forum 100.

In one embodiment, the server 205 communicates the audio 251, the video253, the file 255, the drawing 257, and/or the presentation 259 inresponse to the corresponding timestamp 221/223/225/227/229 precedingthe current time. In addition, the server 205 communicates the audio251, the video 253, the file 255, the drawing 257, and/or thepresentation 259 in response to the corresponding permission201/203/205/207/209 being set. The processor 405 may further loop toreceive 501 subsequent information permissions 200.

The embodiments receive the information permissions 200 and provide theforum information 250 based on the information permissions 200. As aresult, an administrator and/or each participant 120 may grant orrestrict specific forum information 250 for specific participants 120.Thus, forum information 250 may be selectively withheld fromparticipants 120, facilitating the selective dissemination ofinformation within the electronic forum 100. A single electronic forum100 may thus be used to selectively share the forum information 250among a larger group of participants 120 than could participate in theelectronic forum 100 if all participants 120 received the same foruminformation 250. Thus the efficiency of the electronic forum 100 and thecomputers 400 employed therein is improved using the informationpermissions 200.

Embodiments may be practiced in other specific forms. The describedembodiments are to be considered in all respects only as illustrativeand not restrictive. The scope of the invention is, therefore, indicatedby the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description. Allchanges which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of theclaims are to be embraced within their scope.

What is claimed is:
 1. An apparatus comprising: a processor; a memorythat stores code executable by the processor to: receive informationpermissions for a plurality of participants in an electronic forum, theinformation permissions comprising each of an audio permission, a videopermission, a file share permission, and a presentation permission foreach participant and wherein the information permissions are one ofunique for each participant and assigned to a group; and provideinformation to each participant based on the information permissions,wherein the audio permission is required to receive audio from theelectronic forum, the video permission is required to receive video fromthe electronic forum, the file share permission is required to receive afile from the electronic forum, and the presentation permission isrequired to receive a presentation from the electronic forum.
 2. Theapparatus of claim 1, wherein the audio permission, the videopermission, the file share permission, a drawing permission, and thepresentation permission each comprise a timestamp, and wherein a servercommunicates the audio, the video, the file, the drawing, and/or thepresentation in response to the timestamp preceding a current time. 3.The apparatus of claim 1, wherein a single set of informationpermissions for each of the plurality of participants is received froman administrator.
 4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein a plurality ofsets of information permissions for each of the plurality ofparticipants are received from each participant.
 5. The apparatus ofclaim 1, wherein one or more participants are organized in the group, afirst set of information permissions are assigned to the group, and theinformation permissions for each participant in the group are theinformation permissions for the group.
 6. The apparatus of claim 1,wherein the information permissions are received as a voice command. 7.The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the information permissions arereceived through a user interface.
 8. A method comprising: receiving, byuse of a processor, information permissions for a plurality ofparticipants in an electronic forum, the information permissionscomprising each of an audio permission, a video permission, a file sharepermission, and a presentation permission for each participant andwherein the information permissions are one of unique for eachparticipant and assigned to a group; and providing information to eachparticipant based on the information permissions, wherein the audiopermission is required to receive audio from the electronic forum, thevideo permission is required to receive video from the electronic forum,the file share permission is required to receive a file from theelectronic forum, and the presentation permission is required to receivea presentation from the electronic forum.
 9. The method of claim 8,wherein the audio permission, the video permission, the file sharepermission, a drawing permission, and the presentation permission eachcomprise a timestamp, and wherein a server communicates the audio, thevideo, the file, the drawing, and/or the presentation in response to thetimestamp preceding a current time.
 10. The method of claim 8, wherein asingle set of information permissions for each of the plurality ofparticipants is received from an administrator.
 11. The method of claim8, wherein a plurality of sets of information permissions for each ofthe plurality of participants is received from each participant.
 12. Themethod of claim 8, wherein one or more participants are organized in thegroup, a first set of information permissions are assigned to the group,and the information permissions for each participant in the group arethe information permissions for the group.
 13. The method of claim 8,wherein the information permissions are received as a voice command. 14.The method of claim 8, wherein the information permissions are receivedthrough a user interface.
 15. A program product comprising anon-transitory computer readable storage medium that stores codeexecutable by a processor, the executable code comprising code to:receive information permissions for a plurality of participants in anelectronic forum, the information permissions comprising each of anaudio permission, a video permission, a file share permission, and/or apresentation permission for each participant and wherein the informationpermissions are one of unique for each participant and assigned to agroup; and provide information to each participant based on theinformation permissions, wherein the audio permission is required toreceive audio from the electronic forum, the video permission isrequired to receive video from the electronic forum, the file sharepermission is required to receive a file from the electronic forum, andthe presentation permission is required to receive a presentation fromthe electronic forum.
 16. The program product of claim 15, wherein theaudio permission, the video permission, the file share permission, adrawing permission, and the presentation permission each comprise atimestamp, and wherein a server communicates the audio, the video, thefile, the drawing, and/or the presentation in response to the timestamppreceding a current time.
 17. The program product of claim 15, wherein asingle set of information permissions for each of the plurality ofparticipants is received from an administrator.
 18. The program productof claim 15, wherein a plurality of sets of information permissions foreach of the plurality of participants is received from each participant.19. The program product of claim 15, wherein one or more participantsare organized in the group, a first set of information permissions areassigned to the group, and the information permissions for eachparticipant in the group are the information permissions for the group.20. The program product of claim 15, wherein the information permissionsare received as a voice command.